Advertisement
Social Justice

Gordon Brown calls for ‘urgent action’ to boost universal credit as petition reaches 140,000

Universal credit payments to the UK’s poorest could be swallowed whole by energy bills if new PM Liz Truss doesn’t take action

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an emergency budget from new PM Liz Truss to increase universal credit alongside the expected freeze on energy bills to tackle the cost of living crisis.

More than 140,000 people have signed a petition put forward by Brown and a coalition of anti-poverty groups, including the Big Issue, urging immediate action to support the UK’s poorest as inflation hits double figures.

Average energy bills already make up more than half of the standard allowance for a single person on universal credit under 25, and will be swallowed entirely by energy costs if the proposed increase to the price cap goes ahead.

“Until those who face poverty are given proper protection, thousands upon thousands of British people will continue to demand urgent action to end the cost of living crisis,” Brown told the Big Issue.

The energy price cap for October was announced at the end of August, sending typical household bills from £1,971 to £3,549, an increase of 80 per cent.

Truss is expected to announce a freeze on energy bills on Thursday, keeping them at their current level, as one of her first acts since being named the new prime minister on Monday.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

In a speech following her win in a drawn out drawn out contest to lead the Conservative party, Truss said: “I will deliver on the energy crisis, dealing with people’s energy bills but also dealing with the long-term issues we have on energy supply.”

Campaigners have been calling for action from the government across 2022 as inflation reached 10 per cent in July and energy costs tripled since the start of the year.

Sam Tims, of the New Economics Foundation, told the Big Issue in August the “next prime minister should align social security to the cost of living while scrapping the benefit cap, two child limit and deductions from universal credit”.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Energy bills are rising this April. What do I do if I can't afford to pay?
energy bills
Cost of living crisis

Energy bills are rising this April. What do I do if I can't afford to pay?

People with severe mental illness twice as likely to be disconnected by utility companies
debt advice/ call
Mental health

People with severe mental illness twice as likely to be disconnected by utility companies

Water bills are going up in April 2025. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay
Cost of living crisis

Water bills are going up in April 2025. Here's what to do if you're struggling to pay

DWP ordered to correct 'entirely misleading' claim about universal credit claimants looking for work
dwp
Benefits

DWP ordered to correct 'entirely misleading' claim about universal credit claimants looking for work

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue